Bangaldesh frustrated ahead of Australia clash

Bengaluru, March 20 (IANS) The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) ban on bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny for illegal actions in the middle of the World T20 campaign has diminished the Bangladesh team’s spirits.

They are scheduled to take on Australia in their second Super 10 match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday, reports bdnews24.com.

The actions of the bowlers were questioned in the first-round match against the Netherlands on March 9. Sunny went through the assessment in Chennai on March 12 and Taskin on March 15. The ICC announced the results on Saturday.

The team was particularly frustrated about the suspension of Taskin, who is an important cog in their pace wheel.

“We are very upset with the decision. It is very disappointing. We still believe that Taskin is alright. I don’t know the system. Playing back-to-back matches and then be tested,” Mashrafe said on Sunday.

“Again, we can’t do anything at the moment. We have to go through the process. The team is very upset.”

Losing two of his key bowlers, Mashrafe insisted that things would not be the same in the team.

“If two of your boys in the family are in a pickle, you won’t be able to do anything properly – you won’t get the same enthusiasm. Our mental state is not like before any more, you can see it clearly,” the captain said.

“Taskin and Sunny are obviously disappointed. But the whole team is behind them. At the moment, it is very difficult to tell them that everything will be alright.

“As a group, the coaching staff and players are helping them cope with it. All that we can wish and pray is they come out stronger and fight it out – come back and play for Bangladesh.”

Mashrafe claimed the timing of the ICC verdict made things tougher for the team.

“The shock came at such a time when it is difficult for us to manage. If we got the two replacement players a couple of days ago, we could’ve managed it.”

The 32-year-old skipper said the players would still try to lift their spirits and face Australia with resolve.

“So we can’t just keep thinking about all those things. We all know that (M. Chinnaswamy) wicket is a high-scoring strip, so we have to work as a unit to be successful.

“I know the people of Bangladesh are on our side and would still be there in more difficult situations. We will also try so that our performance meets their expectations. But it is definitely a difficult task.”